Co-op vs Internship: Which is More Likely to Land You a Job

It's no longer a debate about whether you should gain work experience; in today's competitive graduate world, it is about which experience is going to benefit you more.

Employees expect you to have some experience in your field after graduating from college or university; an internship or co-op can give you the necessary advantage. While some people use these terms interchangeably, there's a difference, and understanding that will help you choose the best opportunity as a student.

So, let’s dive in!

What is a co-op?

Cooperative education experiences, also known as "Co-ops," are paid programs that allow students to alternate between full-time work and school for at least two semesters. In other words, you pause classes to get paid to work full-time for several months.

A co-op has multiple benefits, such as gaining valuable work experience, understanding your industry's standards and expectations, and earning a salary to help pay for school.

What is an internship? Knowing the difference between traditional vs virtual/remote

An internship is when you’re placed in a company to complete specific tasks or projects, all while gaining real-world experience and building your skills.

Internships come in many shapes and sizes, and the time commitment and length can vary depending on the company, industry, and experience you want. While they can be paid or unpaid, the beauty of an internship is that you get to “try on” certain careers. With a high rate of employment offers following internships, it’s a great way to build connections that may lead to a future opportunity. If you think of an internship as one long interview, you’re on the right track!

You can also find virtual or remote internships that are even better than a traditional internship. There are plenty of benefits to virtual/remote internships: convenience, flexibility, accessibility, and you’re even guaranteed a placement with a virtual internship! Remote internships allow you to work from wherever you want, when you want, no matter where the company is located. Even better, remote internships can be done alongside your studies and other commitments, so you don’t have to spend your summer interning and can gain experience while completing your degree.

Co-op vs internship: which is right for you?

The choice between a co-op or internship is challenging, as it depends on what you want as a student and what's available in your location.

Nevertheless, here's what you can expect in each:

• In-depth work experience: you’ll contribute to a company, increasing your chances of getting full-time employment after finishing school. Keep in mind that internships may provide more value than co-ops as some fields don't need several months of hard work to understand the profession, and you’ll get straight into working on key projects.
• Project contribution: with both co-ops and internships, you’ll be able to make an impact on projects. However, internships will often have you work on one or more projects for a set period which will be great additions to your resumé.
• Offset school costs: whether you choose a co-op or virtual internship, you’ll be working full-time and earning money. This will help you pay for tuition, rent, utilities, and more. But, a virtual internship will allow you to work and study at the same time. Working remotely gives you the freedom of being able to work around your timetable.
• Work while in school: co-ops are part of your degree, so you get to alternate between your studies and work. Virtual internships are flexible. You’ll gain valuable career experience while simultaneously working towards your degree. It’s a win-win!

Why a Virtual Internship might be the right choice for you

Ultimately, co-ops and internships increase your chances of employment as you earn relevant work experience for your future career. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, 56% of employers prefer job candidates with experience in either a co-op or an internship.

However, both co-ops and in-person internships have their downsides which can be eliminated by choosing to intern remotely. With a Virtual Internship, you’ll have access to placements with companies worldwide while completing your studies. You’ll be guaranteed a match within your chosen career field or industry on a schedule that works best for you.

How to apply for a Virtual Internship

If a Virtual Internship sounds like the right choice for you, getting started is simple.

All you need to do is apply online, pay your acceptance fee of $300 USD to start the guaranteed matching process, and tell us what you’re looking for:

• Choose the field you want experience in (no prior experience or related degree is necessary)
• Your ideal start date (there are start dates every two weeks)
• The location of the company you want to intern for (choose from 150+ countries)
• Your time commitment (from 10-30 hours weekly)
• Your internship length (from one to four months)

And we’ll do the rest! You can expect to be matched with your ideal internship within four weeks of enrolling in the program.

You’ll be career-ready in no time with our internship coaches, weekly check-ins, employability upskilling courses, and more.